Introduction

The EaP CSF Working Group “Social & Labour Policies and Social Dialogue” was set up at the fourth CSF meeting in Stockholm in November 2012. It is the only Working Group of the Forum not modelled after a Platform of the multilateral track of the EaP, although members of the working group advocate for the setting up of a Platform 5 focusing on social policy and employment within the EaP or – if this should not be possible – for the establishment of a sub-platform under the existing Platform 2 (Economic integration and convergence with EU policies) focusing on social and employment trends.

Goals of the Working Group

The Working Group focuses on:

social policy

labour markets

social rights

social dialogue

social and economic issues pertinent to the EaP countries

promotion of European Norms and International Standards as defined by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the European Social Charter and the International Labour Organisation

raising awareness of the civil society in EaP countries about social dialogue and its implementation in the EU countries